"Emma" by Jane Austen. Part 4

Summary

Emma plans a dinner party for the Eltons for reasons of propriety. Besides the Eltons, Emma invites Mr. Knightley, the Westons, and Jane Fairfax. Mr. Weston discusses Frank Churchill and his aunt with Mrs. Elton and reveals more about the Churchill family. Emma's concern for Frank Churchill distresses her because she believes that he must be in love with her even though she does not share his feelings. Because of Frank’s  aunt  demands, he is kept away for ten days after his first visit. Mrs. Churchill eventually determines that her family must move from London to Richmond, which places Frank closer to Highbury. Mr. Weston is delighted to have his son nearer, and a date is set for the long-postponed ball. The day of the ball arrives. Emma is invited by Mr. Weston to come early and give her opinion on the arrangements. Mr. and Mrs. Weston suddenly realize that Mrs. Elton expects to be asked to lead the dance and that they cannot give Emma that honor, as they had hoped. During the first dance, Emma and Frank dance second to Mr. Weston and Mrs. Elton, and Mrs. Elton is completely gratified by this. During one dance, Harriet is left without a partner, and Mr. Knightley soothes Harriet’s embarrassment by asking her to dance, and Emma is very pleased with him. Frank Churchill and Harriet arrive at Hartfield the day after the ball. When revived, Harriet tells the story of how she was walking with a friend, Miss Bickerton, when a Gypsy child approached to beg from them. Miss Bickerton, frightened, ran away, but Harriet was unable to follow because of a cramp she had gotten at the ball. Harriet visits Emma several days later to make a confession. She has a parcel with items that reminder of Mr. Elton, including a small box with a court plaster that was used to cover a small cut that Mr. Elton had. Mr. Knightley only grows to dislike Frank Churchill more, as he suspects double-dealing in Frank’s pursuit of Emma. Mr. Knightley tells Emma about his suspicions about Frank and Jane, but she thinks that there is no romance between them. Mr. Knightley is irritated by the entire situation and when Mrs. Elton plans a picnic, Mr. Knightley offers Donwell Abbey as the location. At Donwell Abbey, walking through the garden, Emma finds Harriet and Knightley looking out over the Martin family home and but is nevertheless convinced that Harriet is in good hands. Jane Fairfax leaves early while Frank Churchill arrives late, primarily due to delays from Mrs. Churchill. The next day, the party goes to Box Hill for a picnic. Later on, Emma, Jane and Frank discuss marriage. Jane speaks about how quick marriages can be salvaged, while Frank tells Emma to choose a wife for him and mold her. Emma returns to the idea of Frank and Harriet.

"Emma" by Jane Austen. Part 4 

"Emma" by Jane Austen. Part 3

Summary

Mr. Elton comes back to Highbury with renewed spirits as he is to be married. Harriet starts mourning his marriage and Emma decides that Harriet should accept an invitation from the Martins to visit them. Harriet has a friendly and emotional visit with Mr. Martin’s mother and sister, but when the visit is cut short, it is clear the Martins understand that they have been slighted. On their way back to Hartfield they stop at Randalls to visit the Westons and learn that they had had a letter from Frank saying that he would be there the next day. Frank Churchill and Mrs. Weston visit Hartfield next morning, and Emma is pleased by Frank’s warmth toward his stepmother. Emma's good opinion of Frank Churchill is shaken when she hears that he has gone to London simply to get a haircut. The Coles, a family of low origin, invite the better families of Highbury to dine with them. It turns out that everyone is invited to a party at the Coles except the Woodhouses, and Emma is hurt.  The invitation does finally arrive though, and Emma decides to accept it after all. At the Coles’ party it is revealed that Jane Fairfax has received the mysterious gift of a piano. People assume the piano is from Colonel Campbell, but Emma tells Frank she suspects that it is a gift from Mr. Dixon. When Jane arrives later, she blushes when questioned about the piano. During the party, Emma and Jane sing and play the piano for the company, with Frank accompanying. Before the party breaks up, there is time for only two dances. Next morning, Harriet Smith visits Emma and tells her that she suspects Robert Martin to be involved with Anne Cox. They shop at Ford's together, and Emma sees Mrs. Weston and Frank Churchill going to visit Miss Bates. While Emma and Harriet continue to shop, Miss Bates invites them to hear Jane Fairfax play at her new piano. Mr. Knightley stops by the Bates' while Emma and Frank are there, but because of the numerous visitors he promises to call another time. After their little bit of dancing at the Coles, the young people soon want a ball and begin planning. Although initially planned for Randalls, the lack of acceptable space for dancing leads Frank to plan it instead for the Crown Inn. Emma is quite excited about the upcoming ball, but Frank gets a letter from Mr. Churchill urging him to come home, as Mrs. Churchill is ill. He stops by quickly to say goodbye to Emma, trying to tell her something serious, but she does not encourage it and when  he leaves, she realizes  that he is more in love with her than she had thought. Mr. Elton returns with his bride, and Emma decides that she and Harriet should visit the newlyweds early on in order to reestablish normal social relations. Emma finds that Mrs. Elton has no elegance and maintains that Harriet would have been a better wife for Mr. Elton. Mrs. Elton, offended by the little encouragement given by Emma, becomes cold and distant to her. Emma is puzzled that Jane accepts Mrs. Elton’s attentions, and she discusses Jane’s actions with Mrs. Weston and Mr. Knightley.

"Emma" by Jane Austen. Part 3